What major challenge to traditional religious conceptions emerged during the Scientific Revolution?

The heliocentric model of the solar system, proposed by Copernicus and further supported by figures like Galileo and Kepler, represented a significant challenge to traditional religious conceptions of the universe. Prior to the Scientific Revolution, the prevailing belief was in a geocentric model—where Earth was considered the center of the universe, heavily supported by religious doctrine. This view aligned with the theological interpretations prevalent at the time, which saw humanity and Earth as central to creation.

The heliocentric model shifted this perspective dramatically, placing the Sun at the center of the solar system and suggesting that the Earth, along with other planets, orbits around it. This idea not only contradicted centuries of accepted belief but also raised fundamental questions about humanity's place in the universe and the interpretation of religious texts. As astronomers provided evidence in favor of heliocentrism, it sparked controversy and led to conflicts with established religious authorities, ultimately challenging the view that the Earth, and by extension humankind, held a unique position in the cosmos. This paradigm shift was significant in promoting a more scientific understanding of the natural world and diminished the absolute authority of religious explanations regarding the physical universe.